MINUTES OF MEETING
OF
BOARD OF ALDERMEN
THE TOWN OF ANDERSON, TEXAS
April 12, 2007
State of Texas
County of Grimes
The Board of Aldermen of the Town of Anderson met in regular open session in the American Legion Building in Anderson, Texas, at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, April 12, 2007. Mayor Gail Sowell, Alderwoman Erna Freeman, Aldermen David Heyman, and Attorney Lovett Boggess were present. Aldermen Ernest Henderson and Bill Robinett were absent.
The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m.
Guests present at the meeting included Cindy Bell, Chester Finke, Robert Lys, and Brett Mize.
The Mayor asked that minutes from the regular meeting held on Thurs. March 8, 2007 be considered/approved. Alderman Tom Johanson made a motion to approve the minutes as presented; Alderman David Heyman seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Commissioner Bill Pendley was to appear to request approval of angle parking on Buffington St. (west of the courthouse in front of the annex). Inasmuch as he was unable to be present this request has been tabled until further notice.
Mr. Brett Mize appeared before the council with a request that Fanthorp St. be kept unpaved, but maintained with crushed limestone. The council were in agreement that paving the street would help with the maintenance for years to come.
Grimes Co. Road & Bridge Engineer, Robert Lys, was present to discuss the roadwork scheduled for this summer. Mr. Lys presented the county’s estimate of the costs required to complete the work discussed at earlier meetings. The total base cost will be $11,018.80. This does not include the cost of culverts required for improvement of drainage in several areas. A cost of approximately $450 per culvert (18’ or 24’) was indicated. Mrs. Freeman made a motion to accept the bid proposal presented by Mr. Lys; Alderman Tom Johanson seconded the motion. All members present were in favor of the motion.
Ms. Cindy Bell appeared before the council with a request from Historic Anderson, Inc. who wish to establish a historic district within the city limits. She asked for the council’s participation in establishing such guidelines, as well as assistance in protecting and maintaining the district. Attorney Boggess suggested that before a vote could be considered a great deal more information would be needed.
Mayor Sowell presented a proposal from R.H. Bonds Surveying Co. for performing an on the ground survey to re-establish block corners of certain streets within the town. His cost for performing the survey was $3,500.00. He indicated that adjustments to include additional streets or changes would not change the initial bid of $3,500.00. Alderman Tom Johanson made a motion to accept the bid as presented; Alderwoman Freeman seconded the motion. All members present were in favor of the motion.
Mayor Sowell indicated that she had been in contact with the McCorkle’s several times within the last month. Sowell indicated that she had answered the questions to her own satisfaction and that no changes were needed. Mrs. McCorkle had indicated that a new law had gone into effect that would change things. The new law indicated that if a street was not used within two years it must be closed or abandoned. After checking with TML, the law goes into effect only if the Council adopts it.
Mayor Sowell advised the council that after checking with the state regarding election canvassing she would be able to give a definite date to the council for the May meeting. The election is scheduled for May 12. Based on new rules the council needs to meet around the 16th-18th.
The last order of business was payment of bills. Alderwoman Freeman made a motion that all invoices currently due and payable be ordered paid; Alderman David Heyman seconded the motion. All members present voted in favor of the motion.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.